Seven arrests made in investigation into 'high level' benefits fraud in South Yorkshire
Police carried out a series of raids in Sheffield and Rotherham today
Seven arrests have been made across South Yorkshire as part of what police are calling an investigation into 'high level' benefit fraud.
A total of 10 warrants were carried out yesterday in Sheffield and Rotherham in a joint operation with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The DWP has been investigating a group allegedly responsible for around £50m in benefits fraud.
Six men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit, money laundering offences, and making or supplying articles for use in fraud.
Inspector Alec Gibbons of South Yorkshire Police said: “We often work alongside partners in key operations, sharing skillsets so that we can best tackle organised crime."
“Benefit fraud costs the UK billions of pounds nationally each year. It is not a low-level crime, in some cases criminal gangs run massive operations to defraud the government of millions of pounds.
“I am glad that we have been able to support the DWP on their investigation, and I hope that this sends a message to those intending to commit fraud in our communities, that this will not be tolerated.”